Method of beverage cooling/heating on vehicles

ABSTRACT

A method for the design and production of a vacuum vortex tube&#39;s based beverage cooling/heating system to be installed on a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, with a vacuum vortex tube&#39;s feed appearing as an outcome of the vehicle performance. The system according to the invention comprises a vacuum vortex tube with its inlet connected with the atmosphere, with a vortex cold/hot fraction outlet connected through cut out cocks to provide cooling, heating or cooling and heating mode of operation with beverage can holder inlet; and with beverage can holder outlet connected with the suction section of the combustion engine.

This Appln. is a Divisional of Ser. No. 08/831,126 filed Apr. 1, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to portable heating/cooling systems foreffecting a temperature change of beverages to be installed on vehicleswith an abundance of compressed air and/or with an internal combustionengine.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The contemporary concept of portable beverage/food cooling/heatingsystems falls into five groups which are based on the utilized source ofthe primary energy. These groups are: chemical reactions, conventionalrefrigeration, absorption, electricity and compressed air.

The four first-mentioned features were discussed in U.S. Pat. No.5,331,817. It was then suggested that the fifth feature, compressed air,as a feed for the vortex tube creates a saving and an economicallyacceptable alternative for the above mentioned sources of energy. Inaccordance with this suggestion, a vortex tube based beverage/foodcooling/heating design was introduced.

In a vortex tube, as it is generally known, initial compressed gas flowis transformed into two separate currents of different energy (a coldfraction and a hot fraction) leaving the vortex tube separately underpressure which is less then the inlet pressure but at a pressure stillabove atmospheric.

A vortex tube comprises a slender tube with a diaphragm closing one endof the tube provided with a hole in the center of the diaphragm fordischarge of the cold fraction, one or more tangential inlet nozzlespiercing the tube just inside of the diaphragm, and a controlled hotfraction discharge opening such as a throttle valve or any otherrestrictive body at the far end or the other end of the slender tube.

Even today, the full theory of the vortex tube, explaining all itsfeatures, has not yet been created or established. However, theprincipal mechanism of the vortex phenomenon can be described in thefollowing manner. An expanding gas after passing the tangential nozzledevelops into a high speed rotating body, a vortex. The gas in thevortex is cooled because part of its total energy converts into kineticenergy. An angular velocity in the vortex is low at the periphery zoneand very high toward the center zone. Friction between the central andperiphery zones reduces all of the gas to the same angular velocity asis in a solid body. This causes the inner layers to slow down and theouter layers to speed up. As a result, the inner layers lose part oftheir kinetic energy and their total temperature decreases. Theperiphery layers receive the energy from the internal layers. Thisenergy converts to heat through friction in the `hot` end of the tube.

Having a vortex tube as a cooling/heating means, the design disclosed inthe U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,817 requires, however, an incorporation into thebeverage can of a canister containing a gas compressed to 300-700 psi.to be used as a vortex tube feedstock. Such requirement generally makesthe system dependable on the outer source of the compressed gas letalone a user's necessity to operate a pressure vessel.

It therefore an object of this invention to develop the vortex tubebased beverage cooling/heating system for the vehicles, in particular,with a vortex tube's feedstock appearing as an outcome of the vehicle'snormal performance.

Generally, there are two sources of the airflow available oncontemporary vehicles during its normal performance: a compressed airsupplying by an `onboard` compressor in order to operate a brake systemand/or a vacuumed air running through a combustion engine's intakemanifold.

At this point, a vortex tube design as set forth in U.S. Pat. No.5,327,728 to Tunkel and a vacuum vortex tube as set forth in U.S. Pat.No. 5,561,982 to Tunkel and Krasovitski are particularly useful inconnection with this invention.

The latest of those patents is concerned with a novel method of energyseparation and utilization of such energy separated in the vortex tubewhich operates with a pressure not exceeding atmospheric pressure. Thismethod is to be carried out with a source of vacuum, a vortex tube andat least one heat exchanger. Accordingly, the vortex tube's nozzles areconnected with an inlet gas flow having a pressure not exceedingatmospheric pressure, and the vortex tube's diaphragm with the hole fordischarging the cold stream is connected through a heat exchangerprovided to utilize a cold duty with the source of vacuum and,accordingly, the vortex tube's throttle valve or any other restrictivebody for discharging of the hot stream at the opposite end of theslender tube is connected through the heat exchanger provided to utilizea hot duty with the source of vacuum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the present invention consist in the provision of a methodfor the design and production of a vortex tube's based beveragecooling/heating system to be installed on the vehicle with an abundanceof the compressed air and/or with an internal combustion engine, with avortex tube's feedstock appearing as an outcome of the vehicleperformance. The system according to the invention comprises either avortex tube with its inlet connected with a receiver of the compressedair used to power vehicle's brake system, or a vacuum vortex tube withits inlet open to atmospheric air, with a vortex cold/hot fractionoutlet connected with the beverage can holder inlet and with thebeverage can holder outlet connected with an atmospheric air or, in caseof a vacuum operations, with an engine's intake air manifold.

Specifically, the invention is concerned with a method for effecting atemperature change of an object to be installed on vehicles in a systemincluding a vehicle's air compressor and a vehicle's compressed airreceiver, an inlet cut out cock, a vortex tube, a cold fraction cut outcock and a cold fraction relieve cut out cock, a hot fraction cut outcock and a hot fraction relieve cut out cock and an object holder, themethod providing of the object cooling, comprising the steps ofconnecting the vortex tube inlet through the inlet cut out cock with thevehicle's compressed air receiver which is connected to the compressor;connecting the vortex tube cold fraction discharge line through the coldfraction cut out cock with the beverage can holder and further withatmosphere, while maintaining the cold fraction cut out relieve cockclosed; and connecting the vortex tube hot fraction discharge linethrough the hot fraction cut out relieve cock with the atmosphere, whilemaintaining a hot fraction cut out cock closed.

The invention is also concerned with effecting a temperature change of abeverage in a system including a vehicle's air compressor and avehicle's compressed air receiver an inlet cut out cock, a vortex tubeand a beverage can holder with a compartment for the beverage can to becooled and for beverage can to be heated, and provides for a method ofcooling of one can and simultaneously heating another, by connecting avortex tube inlet through the inlet cut out cock with the vehicle'scompressed air receiver which is connected to the compressor, connectingthe vortex tube cold fraction discharge line with the beverage canholder's compartment for the can to be cooled and further withatmosphere, and connecting the vortex tube hot fraction discharge linewith the beverage can holder's compartment for can to be heated andfurther with the atmosphere.

The invention is further concerned with a method for changingtemperature of a beverage on vehicles in a system including a vacuumvortex tube, a cold fraction cut out cock and a cold fraction relievecut out cock, a hot fraction cut out cock and a hot fraction relieve cutout cock, a beverage can holder, an operational cut out cock and arelieve cut out cock and a vehicle combustion engine, the methodproviding beverage cooling, comprising the steps of connecting a vacuumvortex tube inlet with atmospheric air, connecting the vacuum vortextube cold fraction discharge line through the cold fraction cut out cockwith the beverage can holder and further through an operational cut outcock with the combustion section of the vehicle engine, whilemaintaining the cold fraction cut out relieve cock closed, connectingthe vacuum vortex tube hot fraction discharge line through the hotfraction relieve cut out cock and further through an operational cut outcock with the combustion section of the vehicle engine, whilemaintaining the hot fraction cut out cock closed, and maintaining arelieve cut out cock closed.

The invention also provides for another method for cooling/heating abeverage on a vehicle in a system including a vacuum vortex tube, abeverage can holder with a compartment for the beverage can to be cooledand a compartment for the beverage can to be heated, an operational cutout cock, relieve cut out cock and a vehicle combustion engine, themethod providing a beverage cooling heating, comprising the steps ofconnecting the vacuum vortex tube inlet with atmospheric air, connectingthe vacuum vortex tube cold fraction discharge line with a beverage'scan holder compartment for the beverage can to be cooled and furtherthrough an operational cut out cock with the combustion section of thevehicle engine, connecting the vacuum vortex tube hot fraction dischargeline with the beverage's can holder compartment for the can to be heatedand further through the operational cut out cock with the combustionsection of the vehicle engine, and maintaining the relieve cut out cockclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic design and flow diagram of one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic design and flow diagram of another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic design and flow diagram of another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic design and flow diagram of another embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing and inparticular to the schematic design and flow diagram of FIG. 1 whichillustrates one embodiment of the invention, a beverage cooling/heatingsystem 10 according to invention includes an `onboard` air compressor 1,`onboard` receiver for the compressed air 2, an inlet cut out cock 3, avortex tube 4, the cold fraction relieve cut out cock 7, the coldfraction cut out cock 9, the hot fraction relieve cut out cock 8, thehot fraction cut out cock 12 and a beverage can holder 11. Line 5connects vortex tube 4 to cold fraction relieve cut out cock 7 and coldfraction cut out cock 9, and line 6 connects vortex tube 4 to hotfraction relieve cut out cock 8 and hot fraction cut out cock 12.

The function of the can holder is to provide an efficient heat transferbetween gas discharged from the vortex tube and liquid in the can. Thoseskilled in the art will assume that any approach serving this functionwould be appropriate in the can holder design.

Another function of the can holder is to provide an easy access to thebeverage can when there is a need to consume the liquid. Again, thereare many ways to secure this function in the can holder design. One ofthem is a removable lid locked to the can holder body.

Pressurized air supplied from compressor 1 enters receiver 2 where aportion of the air is then directed through cut out cock 3 to vortextube 4. A cold fraction is discharged from vortex tube 4 into line 5 andthen, under system's cooling mode of operation enters a beverage canholder through cut out cock 9, while a relieve cut out cock 7 is keptclosed. After transferring its cooling duty to the beverage in the can,the cold fraction is then directed into atmosphere. Accordingly, a hotfraction is discharged from the vortex tube 4 into line 6 and then intothe atmosphere through relieve cut out cock 8, while cut out cock 12 iskept closed.

Under the system's heating mode of operation, a hot fraction enters abeverage can holder through a cut out cock 12, while relieve cut outcock 8 is kept closed. After transfering its heating duty to thebeverage in the can, the hot fraction is then directed into atmosphere.Accordingly, a cold fraction is discharged into that atmosphere througha relieve cut out cock 7, while cut out cock 9 is kept closed.

Another embodiment of the present invention, which provides for thecooling of can of beverage and simultaneously provides for the heatingof another, is shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, parts similar to theparts in FIG. 1 have been raised by 100. As shown on the schematicdesign and flow diagram of FIG. 2 a beverage cooling/heating system 20according to invention includes an `onboard` air compressor 101,`onboard` receiver for the compressed air 102, an inlet cut out cock103, a vortex tube 104 and a beverage can holder 111 with compartment 15for the can to be cooled and compartment 16 for the can to be heated.Pressurized air from the compressor 101 enters receiver 102, at whichpoint, portion of the air is then directed through a cut out cock 103 tovortex tube 104. A cold fraction is discharged from vortex tube 104 intoline 105 and then enters cooling compartment 15 of the beverage canholder 111. After transferring its cooling duty to the beverage in thecan in compartment 15, the cold fraction is then directed into theatmosphere. Accordingly, a hot fraction is discharged from the vortextube 104 into line 106 and then enters a heating compartment 16 of thebeverage can holder 111. After transferring its heating duty to thebeverage in the can, the hot fraction then directed into the atmosphere.

Another embodiment of the present invention with a vacuumed air as avortex tube feedstock is shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, partssimilar to the parts in FIG. 1 have been raised by 200. As shown on theschematic design and flow diagram of FIG. 3, beverage cooling/heatingsystem 30 according to invention includes a vacuum vortex tube 204, coldfraction relieve cut out cock 207 and cold fraction cut out cock 209,hot fraction relieve cut out cock 208 and hot fraction cut out cock 212,beverage can holder 211 relieve cut out cock 217, operational cut outcock 218 and the vehicle combustion engine.

Atmospheric air is directed through a vacuum vortex tube 204 due to thevacuum created in the combustion engine. A cold fraction is dischargedfrom the vortex tube 204 into vacuumed line 205 and then under thesystem's cooling mode of operation enters vacuumed beverage can holder211 through cut out cock 209, while relieve cut out cock 207 is keptclosed. After transferring its cooling duty to the beverage in the can,the cold fraction then through the vacuumed line 40 and cut out cock 218is directed into the suction section of the combustion engine 41.Accordingly, a hot fraction is discharged from the vortex tube 204 intothe vacuumed line 206 and then through relieve cut out cock 208 into thevacuumed line 40 and cut out cock 218 to the suction section of thecombustion engine 41,while cut out cock 212 is kept closed.

Under the system's heating mode of operation, a hot fraction enters avacuumed beverage can holder 211 through cut out cock 212, while relievecut out cock 208 is kept closed. After transferring its heating duty tothe beverage in the can, the hot fraction is then transferred throughthe vacuumed line 40 and through cut out cock 218 and is then directedinto a suction section (schematically shown) of the combustion engine41. Accordingly, a cold fraction is discharged from the vortex tube 204into the vacuumed line 205 and then through a relieve cut out cock 207into the vacuumed line 40 and through cut out cock 218 to the suctionsection of the combustion engine 41, while a cut out cock 209 is keptclosed. During the vacuum operations relieve cut out cock 217 isconstantly kept closed.

However, while loading or unloading a beverage can, cut out cock 217 isopen and an operational cut out cock 218 is closed. That provides a canholder disconnection from the source of vacuum.

Another embodiment of the present invention, which provides for acooling of one can of beverage and simultaneously a heating of another,with a vacuumed air as a vortex tube feedstock is shown in FIG. 4. Inthis embodiment, parts similar to the parts in FIG. 1 have been raisedby 300. As shown on the schematic design and flow diagram of FIG. 4, abeverage cooling/heating system 40 according to invention includes, avortex tube 304, a beverage can holder 311 with compartment 315 for thecan to be cooled and compartment 316 for the can to be heated, a relievecut out cock 317, an operational cut out cock 318 and the vehiclecombustion engine. Atmospheric air is directed through vacuum vortextube 304 due to the vacuum created in the combustion engine. A coldfraction is discharged from the vortex tube 304 into vacuumed line 305then enters a cooling compartment 315 of the vacuumed beverage canholder 311. After transferring its cooling duty to the beverage in thecan, the cold fraction is then directed through the vacuumed line 340and operational cut out cock 318 to the suction section of thecombustion engine 341. Accordingly, a hot fraction is discharged fromthe vortex tube 304 into vacuumed line 306 then enters a heatingcompartment 316 of the vacuumed beverage can holder 311. Aftertransferring its heating duty to the beverage in the can, the hotfraction is then directed through the vacuumed line 340 and operationalcut out cock 318 into the suction section of the combustion engine 341.

During the vacuum operations, a relieve cut out cock 317 is constantlykept closed. However, while loading or unloading a beverage can, a cutout cock 317 is open and a cut out cock 318 is closed. That provides acan holder disconnection from the source of vacuum. It should beunderstood that a can holder operating under vacuum must have a designmeans allowing to cover a can opening in order to prevent the liquidevaporation by boiling. It may be achieved, for example, by shaping thecentral part of the holder lid in the form of the standard 16 oz. canflat top.

While there is shown and described what is considered to be thepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for changing temperature of a beverageon vehicles in a system including a vacuum vortex tube, a cold fractioncut out cock and a cold fraction relieve cut out cock, a hot fractioncut out cock and a hot fraction relieve cut out cock, a beverage canholder, an operational cut out cock and a relieve cut out cock and avehicle combustion engine, the method providing beverage cooling,comprising the steps of:a) connecting a vacuum vortex tube inlet withatmospheric air; b) connecting the vacuum vortex tube cold fractiondischarge line through the cold fraction cut out cock with the beveragecan holder and further through an operational cut out cock with thecombustion section of the vehicle engine, while maintaining the coldfraction cut out relieve cock closed; c) connecting the vacuum vortextube hot fraction discharge line through the hot fraction relieve cutout cock and further through an operational cut out cock with thecombustion section of the vehicle engine, while maintaining the hotfraction cut out cock closed; and d) maintaining a relieve cut out cockclosed.
 2. The method of claim 1 providing a beverage heating,comprising:a) connecting the vacuum vortex tube inlet with atmosphericair; b) connecting the vacuum vortex tube hot fraction discharge linethrough the hot fraction cut out cock with the beverage can holder andfurther through an operational cut out cock with the combustion sectionof the vehicle engine, while maintaining the hot fraction cut outrelieve cock closed; c) connecting the vacuum vortex tube cold fractiondischarge line through the cold fraction relieve cut out cock andfurther through an operational cut out cock with the combustion sectionof the vehicle engine, while maintaining the cold fraction cut outrelieve cock closed; and, d) maintaining the relieve cut out cockclosed.
 3. A method for cooling/heating a beverage on a vehicle in asystem including a vacuum vortex tube, a beverage can holder with acompartment for the beverage can to be cooled and a compartment for thebeverage can to be heated, an operational cut out cock, relieve cut outcock and a vehicle combustion engine, the method providing a beveragecooling/heating, comprising the steps of:a) connecting the vacuum vortextube inlet with atmospheric air; b) connecting the vacuum vortex tubecold fraction discharge line with a beverage's can holder compartmentfor the beverage can to be cooled and further through an operational cutout cock with the combustion section of the vehicle engine; c)connecting the vacuum vortex tube hot fraction discharge line with thebeverage's can holder compartment for the can to be heated and furtherthrough the operational cut out cock with the combustion section of thevehicle engine; and d) maintaining the relieve cut out cock closed.